More than 100 BYU–Hawaii students with conference name tags presented more than 80 undergraduate research projects in various McKay and Science Building locations at the Undergraduate Research Conference on March 31. In the Science Building, third-floor hallways and classrooms walls were covered with research posters and presenters stood by them to present to individuals and groups.

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, along with many other social media apps and websites have taken over the way populations communicate. While they use social media, BYUH students said they’re worried about the negative effects it could have on face-to-face communication.

A BYUH student looks forward to becoming a pilot as he perseveres through the challenge of living with a learning disability

Starting a social media NGO, or non-governmental organization, project for the David O. McKay Center, titled “Women of Laie,” Alex Athans, a senior from Laie studying peacebuilding and political science, said it was her sixth idea pitch for her NGO project. She said she kept changing her ideas, and finally, “Women of Laie” just stuck with her.

Moving away from home and coming to college gives a new sense of independence, according to BYU–Hawaii students. While parents and relatives no longer control what media and movies students have access to, students said they try to follow inspiration when deciding what movies to go see. But because of the inconsistency of movie ratings, they said they sometimes watch R-rated movies or avoid PG-13 films after doing research on their content.

New BYU-Hawaii communications and media professor from Las Vegas, Nevada, Dr. Mason Allred, shared his journey from being a BYUH student to moving to Germany for his dissertation. From his family’s experiences in Germany, he said they were able to grow closer through the language.

A red poinsettia and a small string of Christmas lights adorned the kitchen of our small, shared housing in Hauula. It was a simple act, one of many I witnessed over the last couple days I spent interviewing Anna Kaanga for the article announcing her retirement from BYU–Hawaii.

BYUH intercultural peacebuilding students share their experiences with implementing a new form of mediation called the HIVA Navigation Model during their trip to New Zealand

Grace Cannon, a freshman majoring in communication & media studies from Southern California, said despite the anxiety she felt when first starting her business, she was able to pull through and make her business a success with the help of the people around her.